Rotating attachment device and retractable absorbent material

ABSTRACT

A rotating retractable device that attaches to article of clothing, fitness accessory or sporting equipment and attaching an absorbent material to the retracting cord that allows the user on demand to extend the retracting cord and absorbent material from the static position to manage perspiration on the head, neck, arms etc. while the device rotates or swivels to support a wide range of motion needed by user to engage absorbent material. Upon completion of task, user may release the absorbent material from the hand used to manage perspiration and the retracting cord retracts to the original static position at the user&#39;s side. The 360 degree rotating mechanism allows the device and absorbent material to return to a resting orientation at user&#39;s side until engaged again. This allows user more freedom of movement and increased concentration for activity or exercise and eliminates the need to fumble with or lose a separate absorbent material during said activities.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the benefit of PPA No. 61/048,190, filed Apr.27, 2009 by the present inventors, which is incorporated by reference.

FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH

None

SEQUENCE LISTING

None

BACKGROUND

This invention relates to a fitness accessory that holds an absorbentmaterial during exercise or activity. It allows the user to attach therotating device with a retractable cord to article of clothing, fitnessaccessory or sporting equipment and also attach an absorbent material tothe end of the cord found on the rotating device. The user can extendthe absorbent material with the device to wipe the body and then releasethe absorbent material where the cord will retract the absorbentmaterial to its original position and the device will rotate back to itsoriginal orientation. Having an absorbent material available duringactivity or exercise has long required the user to place fabric or papertowels inside the waistband or hold it in the hand, reducing dexterityand effectiveness of the activity. The limitations with an absorbentmaterial by itself include: the loss of one hand for activity due toholding the material, inefficiencies due to the constant need to graband replace the material from the waistband during activity, the likelyloss of the absorbent material during activity due to an inadequateability to attach it securely to clothing or other equipment.

Several types of attachment devices have been proposed—for example, bothU.S. Pat. No. 6,256,840 to Elliott (2001) and U.S. Pat. No. 5,833,165 toPaugh (1998) show a retractable device that can be attached to clothing.These devices do not create an effective attachment method substantialenough to hold the device or absorbent material in place during exerciseor other physical activity. Said patents do not create ease of use orrange of convenience for activity or exercise due to a lack of arotating element on the attachment device. These examples also requirethe user to purchase and use specialized towels with grommets and otherattachments which limit availability and require special laundry care.Elliott states specifically, “Shown is a golfer having the clasp towelattached to an article of clothing within easy reach whereby a golfercan clean golf equipment.” thus limiting the scope to golf enthusiast.

In conclusion, insofar as I am aware, no other attachment device housingwith a retracting cord combined with absorbing material formerlydeveloped provides the user with the rotating capability when attachedto article of clothing, fitness accessory or sporting equipment combinedwith absorbent material that is easily laundered and ready to be usedagain with no special consideration for care instructions.

SUMMARY

The invention, a rotating housing device and absorbent material hasseveral key features that make it unique from any previous art orcurrent products on the market to date.

Several objects and advantages of the invention are to provide animproved retractable device and absorbent material for managingperspiration during exercise or activity and create greater convenienceand usability for the user including 1.) The ability for the device torotate 360 degrees when attached to article of clothing, fitnessaccessory or sporting equipment. This allows for a much greater range ofmotion and increases the usability and scope of uses compared to priorart 2.) A retractable cord allows easy access to the towel since thetowel is always in a resting position around the waist area of the userand free from obstructions. 3.) Absorbent material is attached to theend of the retractable cord using a strong metal clip that does notrequire a grommet or any other specialized attachment equipment. Thisallows the user to easily exchange towels at will when they becomesoiled and avoids the problems created by prior art where specialconsideration must be taken when purchasing replacement towels. Also,special laundry handling of towels with grommets may require specialprocess.

Further objects and advantages will become apparent from a study of thefollowing description and enclosed drawings.

DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view of the rotating attachment device constructed inaccordance with the invention, showing the retracting cord and the upperand lower half of the device.

FIG. 2 is a rear view of the rotating attachment device constructed inaccordance with the invention, showing the attachment clip and the 360degree rotation capability on the upper half of the device.

FIG. 3 is a lateral cross-section view of the rotating attachment deviceof FIGS. 1 and 2 showing the attachment clip from the side.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the rotating attachment device attachedto a waistband or belt showing the absorbent material in use whileattached to the retracting cord and rotating attachment device securelyattached to the user.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1 is a front view of the rotating attachment device constructed inaccordance with the invention, showing the retracting cord and the upperhalf of the device. The lower half of the device consists of a pivotingclasp with a spring that holds the towel securely in place enabling theuser to pull the cord from the device.

The upper portion consists of a square shaped housing that contains aretracting cord and spring mechanism to enable extension and retractionof the cord. The housing is typically 1 inch square and typically has athickness of 0.25 inches to 0.50 inches to accommodate differentmaterials used for the retracting cord. The outer four corners of thehousing are typically beveled or rounded to improve the function of thedevice to rotate on its axis 360 degrees. The housing can consist ofvarious materials that include various plasticized material, vinyl,silicone, metal or rubber.

Contained within the housing, a retracting cord is coiled compactly atrest until activated by the user. The retracting cord typically consistsof nylon or thin metal cable that allows multiple cycles of extensionand retraction over the life of the device. The retracting cordtypically has a length of 24 inches to 36 inches.

At the end of the retracting cord is a cap device that creates a stabletransition point for the retracting cord to connect with a clasp. Thiscap device can consist of various materials that include variousplasticized material, vinyl, silicone, metal or rubber. The cap devicecontains a pre-drilled hole dissecting the middle of the cap to allowfor an object of equal or lesser diameter to securely be positioned inplace.

Dissecting the cap device is a closed loop ring that creates aconnection point for a clasp to attach to the cap. The cap device canconsist of various materials that include various plasticized material,vinyl, silicone, metal or rubber.

Attached to the closed loop ring is a clasp consisting of two equallength pieces connected via a spring pivot that creates the resistanceneeded to hold the clasp closed when at rest. The user will squeeze thetwo opposing lengths and the application of pressure will actuate theopen and closing action of the spring.

FIG. 2 is a rear view of the housing from FIG. 1 constructed inaccordance with the invention, showing the attachment clip and the 360degree rotation capability on the upper half of the housing. Theattachment clip is integrated into the rear of the housing and there areno parts or mechanisms that allow the rotating clip to become separatedfrom the housing.

The attachment clip consists of a single piece of material connected tothe housing with a spring pivot. The gripping end of the attachment clipcontains a row of teeth that prevent an object from slipping between thehousing and teeth when at rest. The user will squeeze one end of theattachment clip and the application of pressure will actuate the openingand closing action of the spring.

The rear housing has a section of material integrated in the housingthat allows the attachment clip to rotate or spin 360 degrees on plane.This rotation creates a unique operation for the housing when used asdescribed.

FIG. 3 is a lateral cross-section view of the rotating attachment deviceof FIGS. 1 and 2 showing the attachment clip from the side. The clip andspring are constructed from material such that it creates a solidattachment to article of clothing, fitness accessory or sportingequipment.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the rotating attachment device attachedto a waistband or belt showing the absorbent material in use whileattached to the rotating attachment device clipped to the user. Note therelative size of the absorbent material in proportion to the user andthe rotating attachment device. This pairing allows the absorbentmaterial to hang from device without concern that the weight willinadvertently pull the retracting cord lower while the user in engagedin exercise or activity. This allows the absorbent material and deviceto remain accessible without interfering with the exercise or activityof the user. The absorbent material is typically constructed of fabricblend of cotton, polyester, wool, microfiber, nylon, sponge, silk orother fibers with absorbent qualities finished on the edges to preventdestruction during laundry cycles. The absorbent material leaves amplearea for custom indicia that can be used by organizations to advertise aproduct or logo.

REFERENCE NUMERALS

-   02 small housing device-   04 retracting cord-   06 cap device-   08 closed loop ring-   10 clasp for attaching absorbent material to retractable cord-   12 attachment clip that securely attaches to user (rear view)-   14 attachment clip that securely attaches to user (lateral view)-   16 absorbent material-   18 retractable device with cord (perspective view)-   20 retractable cord attached to absorbent material (perspective    view)-   22 360 degree rotating mechanism

OPERATION—FIGS. 1,2,3,4

In operation, the user manages perspiration during activity or exerciseby attaching the small housing device (02) to article of clothing,fitness accessory or sporting equipment with the rotating clasp (12) andattaching absorbent material (16) to the clasp (10). User on demand canextend the retracting cord (04) and absorbent material (16) from thestatic position to manage perspiration on the head, neck, arms etc.while the small housing device (02) rotates or swivels (22) to support awide range of motion needed by user engaged in activity to utilizeabsorbent material (16). User upon demand may release the retractingcord (04), (20) and absorbent material (16) from the hand used to manageperspiration and the retracting cord (04), (20) returns to the originalstatic position (18) on the user. The 360 degree rotating mechanism (22)of the small housing device (02) allows the absorbent material to returnto a resting orientation at user's side until engaged again.

ADVANTAGES

From the description above, a number of advantages of some embodimentsof my rotating attachment device and retracting absorbent materialbecome evident:

-   -   (a) The combination of a rotating small housing device and a        retracting cord create the widest scope of convenience for the        user and permit users to engage the device and absorbent        material in many activities and forms of exercise.    -   (b) The presence of the rotating action along with the        retracting cord integrated into a small housing device with        spring clip and clasp provide a superior experience for managing        perspiration while engaged in activity and exercise.

CONCLUSION, RAMIFICATIONS AND SCOPE

Accordingly, the reader will see that the rotating attachment device andretracting absorbent material can make activity and exercise moreenjoyable for the user by enabling a convenient opportunity to manageperspiration with the device as needed. In addition, the absorbentmaterial no longer needs to be held by the user during activity orexercise since the retracting cord retracts the material to a restingstate on the users clothing, fitness accessory or sporting equipmentuntil next engaged. Furthermore, the combination of embodiments haveadditional advantages in that:

-   -   It reduces a long-held safety problem by freeing both hands when        not using the device and material;    -   It creates a new level of convenience for users since the        retracting cord returns the absorbent material out of the way of        interference with the primary activity;    -   It provides a light-weight accessory that does not interfere        with other items user may carry; and    -   It allows users to create customized indicia printing or labels        on several surfaces;

Although the description above contains many specificities, these shouldnot be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments but as merelyproviding illustrations of some of the presently preferred embodiments.For example, the small housing device can be manufactured of manydifferent materials and shapes such as, plastic, vinyl, rubber, metaland any geometrical shape known.

Thus the scope of the embodiments should be determined by the appendedclaims and their legal equivalents, rather than by the examples given.

1. A fitness accessory for managing perspiration during activitycomprising: (a) a small housing device that attaches by means of anintegrated clip, (b) said small housing rotates 360 degrees whenattached to article of clothing, fitness accessory or sportingequipment, (c) a retracting cord, (d) a cap device attached to saidretracting cord, (e) a closed loop attached to said cap device, (f) aspring clasp attached to end of said closed loop, (g) absorbent materialattached with said spring clasp, whereby, (1) user can attach said smallhousing device with said integrated clip to article of clothing, fitnessaccessory or sporting equipment (2) user can attach said absorbentmaterial to said retracting cord with said spring clasp (3) user canextend said retracting cord and said attached absorbent material inorder to manage perspiration during activity or exercise, (4) releasesaid retracting cord and attached said absorbent material after use, (5)where said retracting cord retracts into the said small housing, (6)returning the said retracting cord and said absorbent material to itsoriginal resting orientation, (7) in order to keep hands free duringactivity or exercise and allow users freedom of movement and allow userto concentrate on activity.